ARBA AI Committee and Policies

Artificial Insemination Committee

The Alternatives to Natural Breeding of Romney Sheep

Artificial Insemination

1. ARBA stand on artificial matings

2. ARBA Rules and Regulations for Semen Colletion, Importation and Usage

3. Clarification of Semen Import Requirements Listed in 2001 ARBA Protocol for Semen Collection

4. Semen Collection Form

Before beginning a collection or importation contact the Association Secretary for details.

There is no current embryo transfer protocol or collection form established by ARBA.

Before beginning any transfers a protocol will need to be established.

Uupdated 4/2005.

Committees are created by and report to the Board of Directors. Members of the AI Committee are:

Chair	Maria Rooney 6731 Torvend Road N.E. Silverton, OR 97381 (503) 873-6447
	Jane Caulfield 4626 Delina Road Cornersville, TN 37047-5231 (931) 293-4466	jcaulfield@vallnet.com
	Cindy Cieciwa 4190 W. Cook Road Swartz Creek, MI 48473-9144 (810)-655-4091	pitchfork@usol.com

ARBA stand on artificial matings in 1998

The ARBA endorses the use of artificial matings by any member to improve the Romney breed of sheep through the use of registered Romney rams and/or Romney ewes which are within the ARBA breed standard. Animals used should be proven natural breeders, free of genetic defects and of quality genetics.

The use of these artificial techniques must comply with the ARBA rules and regulations and may not hold the ARBA Association in any way liable.

ARBA should be involved in artificial mating in these ways……….

ARBA should know what genetics are in use.
a. What semen/embryos are stored in the US.
b. What semen/embryos are imported and stored or used.

ARBA should be able to tract artificial mating progeny.

ARBA should have the authority to accept or reject registration applications from artificial mating progeny.

ARBA should collect fees to cover any extra paper work required.

1/1998

Clarification of Semen Import Requirements Listed in 2001 ARBA Protocol for Semen Collection

The donor ram for semen must be listed in the flock book of the country of origin. The current flock book for Natural Colored Romneys in New Zealand is the Purebred Romney Section of the Black and Colored Sheep Breeders Association of New Zealand, Inc. (BCSBA). Current requirements , as understood by ARBA, in New Zealand for registration and export include the following:

The breeder must be a member of the BCSBA of NZ and have their flock registered in the current purebred Romney section of this flock book. The individual animal must have a single entry registration number in the purebred section of the BCSBA of NZ.
The sheep must pass an inspection by an inspector from a BCSBA purebred flock and an inspector from the White Romney Breeders Ass. of New Zealand. Upon passage of this inspection, the animal will be issued an Export Certificate #.
The sheep must be quarantined/tested in accordance with the protocol of the USDA.

Natural Colored Romneys presented for registration to the ARBA will be accepted only in accordance with ARBA protocol and this clarification. The donor animal's N. Z. registration numbers will be checked for compliance with BCSBA purebred section records.

4/2001

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR
SEMEN COLLECTION, IMPORTATION AND USAGE

COLLECTION AND IMPORTATION

1. Donor must be registered in the Romney flock book of the country of origin.

2. Donor must meet all current export protocol of the originating country’s Romney Association.

3. Donor must meet all U.S. import regulations.

4. It is advised to send a copy of the ARBA Semen Collection Form and a copy of these Rules and Regulations to the owner of the ram prior to the ram’s arriving at the collection center.

5. Rams must be Brucella ovis negative.

6. Collection must be made by a veterinarian or qualified technician. His or her signature is required on the ARBA Semen Collection Form.

7. The semen must be packaged in ampules or straws, each of which are permanently marked with the name, breed, and individual identification number of the donor and the date of collection.

8. Semen collection forms must be completed and mailed with payment of application fee ($25) to the ARBA Secretary with in 60 days after collection or importation. This form must be completed to the satisfaction of the Association. The Romney Board is taking a no tolerance policy in regards to these applications. Fees for forms received after these time periods or for incomplete forms shall be ($50)

9. Semen Collection form must be submitted with a copy of:

A. An appropriate USDA importation form, if imported.
B. Both sides of an Export Certificate, if imported from New Zealand.
C. Documentation of the original collection place and date, amount of semen collected, name of the technician or veterinarian taking the collection, and dispersal of collection.
D. Documentation of a negative Brucella ovis test.

TRANSFERS

1. Transfers are to be recorded when any semen changes ownership.

2. The transfer of ownership fee is $4.00 per transaction for members and $8.00 for nonmembers. If the transfer is presented to the ARBA Secretary within 60 days of sale date, the fee is $4.00. If transfer is presented after 60 days, add $4.00. Either the buyer or the seller is responsible for transfer fees.

PROGENY of AI

1. The AI registration application form must be completed and submitted to the ARBA Sec. with appropriate fees before registration papers will be issued.

2. Registration papers for artificial mating progeny will state AI after the flock name and number. Example: Smith 0204 AI.

3. Breeders with semen in storage are encouraged to DNA test the semen for future pedigree verification and forward the results to the ARBA office.

4/2005

Sample Semen Collection Form

American Romney Breeders Association, Inc.
Jean Kamenicky, Secretary
744 Riverbanks Rd.
Grants Pass, OR 97527

A sample copy of the Semen Collection Form is shown below so that you can see the information that is required. Anyone interested in collecting semen should contact the ARBA Secretary before collection and to obtain the current paperwork.

Last updated: 11/14/2006

All membership questions and Association business should be sent to the ARBA Secretary, Jean Kamenicky, at secretary@americanromney.org. This includes any comments on this web site or suggestions for content.